Message of Christmas

As a youngster, I grew up learning some of the songs written by my mom's oldest brother, who was an elder and an evangelist. One song he wrote for Christmas goes like this:

"크리스마스 축하하러 가는 길에
사랑하는 나의 친구 셋을 만나서
회개하고 예수 믿기 결심하니
기쁜 중에 더욱 기뻐 춤을 춥니다.

오늘 날은 우리 구주 나신 날,
기쁘고도 즐겁고도 참말 좋은 날,
얼씨구 좋구나, 참말 좋구나,
닐 닐 니일 닐 닐닐닐..."

which may be translated as:

"On my way to celebrate Christmas,
I met three of my dearest friends,
Who repented and decided to believe in Jesus,
Giving me joy upon joy and making me dance.

Today marks the birth of our Saviour,
Today is a day of joy, delight, pure bliss,
How joyful, how blessed is today,
Lal, lal, la-al, lal, lal, lal, lal ..."

I think the song captures the true meaning of Christmas really well, The main message of Christmas is as sung by the heavenly host on the First Noel:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

This good news of peace is referring to the peace that the believers get to enjoy with God -- peace that represents reconciliation between God and men, who are no longer separated from God because of their sin (Romans 5:1-11, Colossians 1:22). Jesus came to the world as a man, so that He can pay the price of sin and tear down the wall between God and His people. With His death, the curtain of the temple was torn in half from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), so that a new and living way was opened up for us to approach God (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Thus the true message of Christmas is our reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. With Christmas, the work of God, which is to believe in the One He sent (John 6:29), was begun.

Our job is to carry this message of peace and reconciliation to those who have not yet heard it. We are to be peace-makers carrying out the ministry of reconciliation (Matthew 5:9, II Corinthians 5:18). That is the good tidings of Christmas!